---
title: "Body Temperature Regulation"
description: "Explain how the body detects temperature changes and responds through sweating, shivering, vasodilation and vasoconstriction to regulate core temperature."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/body-temperature-regulation-mt_zaXr5wcJD2
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/body-temperature-regulation-mt_zaXr5wcJD2.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Body Temperature Regulation

Explain how the body detects temperature changes and responds through sweating, shivering, vasodilation and vasoconstriction to regulate core temperature.

Subject: Science · Area: Organisms & Life Processes · Ages 12 to 14
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/body-temperature-regulation-mt_zaXr5wcJD2

## Ready when they can

- Explains what homeostasis means in the context of body temperature
- Describes sweating and vasodilation as cooling responses, and distinguishes heat production by shivering from heat conservation by vasoconstriction
- Explains why regulating core temperature near its usual level supports enzyme activity

## Lesson: Keeping Your Body's Temperature Steady

Your nervous system carries signals around your body. Temperature sensors in the skin and brain detect changes, and the brain coordinates responses. These help keep core temperature, the temperature deep inside the body, near 37°C. It varies a little during the day. Keeping internal conditions within suitable limits is called homeostasis. Extreme heat or cold can overwhelm the body's responses.

When you are too hot, sweat glands release sweat onto the skin. Evaporation, when liquid sweat becomes water vapour, takes heat from the skin. Sweat that only drips off provides much less cooling. Vasodilation means blood vessels supplying the skin widen. More blood flows through the skin, helping heat leave when the surroundings are cooler than the skin.

*(drawing: Evaporating sweat takes heat from the skin. Releasing sweat and evaporating it are different parts of this cooling response.)*

**Example.** In the cold, Priya begins to shiver. Her muscles contract repeatedly, producing extra heat. Blood vessels supplying her skin also narrow. This is vasoconstriction: less blood flows through the skin, so less heat is lost. Shivering produces heat; vasoconstriction conserves it. Both help protect core temperature, but they may not be enough in severe cold.

Enzymes are proteins that speed up cell reactions. Cooling usually slows these reactions. Very high temperatures can change enzyme shape, so reactions may not work properly. Keeping core temperature near its usual level supports cell function. To find a temperature after a rise, add the change: starting at 37°C, a rise of 2°C gives 37 + 2 = 39°C.

**Recap.** Homeostasis regulates core temperature near 37°C. Evaporation and vasodilation help cooling; shivering produces heat and vasoconstriction reduces heat loss.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Aerobic Respiration](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/aerobic-respiration-mt_mquPi2IP-J)
- [The Nervous System](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-nervous-system-mt_qzbgwaUQOA)

## Opens up

- [Blood Glucose Control and Diabetes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/blood-glucose-control-and-diabetes-mt_eOzNtiBvX2)